GDC 2013 adds visual art talks from Journey, Rayman, StarCraft II

Game Developers Conference organizers have announced new Visual Arts Track lectures for the upcoming March 2013 conference, including talks on the tech behind StarCraft II's visually lush cutscenes, the creative process for the acclaimed Journey's art, and the standout animation tools created for Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends.

The first chosen talk is from Blizzard's Matt Schembari, and is named 'Cutscenes Everywhere: The Tech Behind StarCraft II's Storytelling'. The lecture presents "how the new cutscene editor and its underlying engine were built in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm", and will review the design process, and how having a user-focused approach shaped both the tool and engine alike.

In 'Rayman Reinvented,' Ubisoft animators Eric Verwaerde and Anais Dusautois will discuss how their team brought the limbless character to life in Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends (pictured). This talk will cover the creation of tools such as the Ubi-Art Framework Animation tool, "which were designed specifically to put artists at the heart of the development process."

Finally, in 'The Art of Journey,' Otis College of Art and Design staffer and former Thatgamecompany art director Matt Nava will share his creative process while working for thatgamecompany on the studio's award-winning PS3 game. Nava will base the talk on his book, "The Art of Journey," and will offer behind the scenes looks at "the design of the character, creatures, landscapes, architecture, and sequences in the game."